Greg Grant Park set to open

TRENTON — Former NBA player Greg Grant grew up playing basketball on an East State Street court.

It was there that the Trenton native learned how to effortlessly drive to the rim and perfect his flawless lay-up.

That court was eventually named after him under former Mayor Douglas H. Palmer while the 5’7” point guard was playing in NBA, until a few years ago when townhouses were built in its place.

But Grant’s legacy will live on.

On April 11, the city is set to unveil the new Greg Grant Park, which is situated at the location of the former Thropp Brothers machine shop and across the street from the old park.

“It’s a credit to my mom and my family for their commitment to me as growing up as a young kid and then my commitment to trying to do the right thing in life,” Grant said of the honor. “I just want the kids at this point to just grow up and appreciate their community.”

The park was built on the former manufacturing site, which became a blighted property from sitting vacant after the company went out of business decades ago.

The city cleaned up the property through securing state, federal and county grants.

More than $2 million was used to transform the park into an environmentally safe property and to build a basketball court, playgrounds, a spray-ground, a picnic pavilion, a trail, a multi-purpose field and restrooms.

“Our administration has worked tirelessly to ensure residents have access to quality recreational spaces,” Mayor Tony F. Mack said in a press release. “We will continue to transform eyesores throughout our city into spaces for the benefit of the public.”

Grant, who founded the GGrant94ft, Inc foundation and academy in 2003 for after-school programs, summer camps and basketball leagues, plans to be actively involved with the park.

“I’ll run some basketball leagues in there and have some community events in the park,” the Trenton High School graduate said. “I will definitely be participating in some events that we’ll be doing for the community.”

The former Trenton State College basketball player, who holds the single season NCAA Division III record with 1,044 points in 1989, said it’s possible to produce an NBA star from the park, but it’s not all about that.

“I would hope so,” said the former player for the Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets, Charlotte Hornets and Philadelphia 76ers. “I don’t know if we’re going to produce another professional athlete, but as long as we can produce some really good kids that can come back and be role models for kids, I’m behind that.”

Despite the park slated to be opened next week, a dozen kids were already playing Monday on the courts.

“This is better because it’s newer and all the other places are broken down,” 14-year-old Patrick Nebo said. “I plan to play here three days a week.”

Grant, the current Trenton High School basketball coach, didn’t shy away when questioned if he is still friends with Mack, who is facing federal corruption charges.

“I understand the situation that he’s in now, but Tony Mack has always been a good guy to me and a good friend to me,” Grant said, adding the two played on the same junior high school basketball team together and grew up in the same neighborhood. “And that’s where we are today. We still remain good friends.”

Grant said he will attend the park opening scheduled at 11 a.m. next Thursday on East State Street near Cook Avenue.